![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7b76a98d-8318-436c-b3fa-e564345e4cf8.jpg\")
Alamy<\/p>\n
Existing European regulations dictate that only preserves made from citrus fruits can be sold as \u201cmarmalade\u201d in shops. Other kinds of fruit spread must be called \u201cjam\u201d or equivalent terms in other languages.\u00a0The rules were incorporated in British law before Brexit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The law is the product of successful British lobbying in the 1970s which gives\u00a0marmalade\u00a0cut from bitter Seville oranges a special commercial status. However, the rules have been a source of friction with food regulators across Europe, as well as creating linguistic confusion.<\/p>\n
In 2004, the EU agreed to relax the rule for producers selling fruit products at farmers\u2019 markets in Austria and Germany. However, consumers in countries such as Spain and Italy continued to be confused given that \u201cmermelada\u201d and \u201cmarmellata\u201d are commonly used for spreads made from other fruits, such as plums and figs.<\/p>\n
Jakob von Weizs\u00e4cker, a German MEP who had been pushing for a change after Brexit<\/a>,\u00a0told the BBC in 2017\u00a0that the naming rules were \u201ccontrary to German linguistic tradition\u201d. Brussels has used Brexit as the chance to update the regulations, allowing all EU countries to allow non-citrus conserves to be marketed as \u201cmarmalade\u201d from June.<\/p>\n However, in line with international norms, citrus-based ones will need to be distinguished and will have to be sold under the new legal name \u201ccitrus\u00a0marmalade\u201d, the BBC reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The new name was already set to take effect in Northern Ireland this summer, under the 2023\u00a0Windsor framework deal<\/a>\u00a0that requires the province align with EU food laws automatically. Officials in Whitehall have now confirmed that the rule is among 76 updated EU food-related laws that will also apply in England, Wales and Scotland, if the food deal is agreed with Brussels.<\/p>\n Politics newsletter<\/p>\n Get our daily insider\u2019s guide to Westminster, plus a rundown of PMQs every Wednesday.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up with one click<\/p>\n